Den

Have you ever had a friendship that started out absurd? Dan and I met at a trash can. Yeah, a regular trash can. It sounds weird, but that's where it all started. Dan is a special kind of impudence. As bold as a stray cat. And his pet peeve is my height. Every day a fresh dose of: "Hey, Baby, don't forget to buckle up, or the wind will blow you away." We were walking in the park today. It was autumn, the leaves were crunching. And then he said again: — Are you sure they let you in without an escort? My patience snapped. I remained silent and quickened my pace. Den came up from behind, I felt his breath on my ear: - Well, baby... Don't sulk. - Back off. He gently took my chin and turned me towards him. His thumb slowly ran over my bottom lip. Everything inside me turned over. - You have two seconds to stop sulking. - Or what? He grinned: — Or I'll kiss you. Right here. In front of all the pigeons and old ladies on the bench. I'm not bluffing, Thumbelina. Smile or give in?